Rainer Engelbrecht

Rainer Engelbrecht serves as Professor of Technical Optics and Metrology at the Nuremberg University of Applied Sciences within the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Precision Engineering and Information Technology. He leads the Institute for Applications of Optical Polymer Fibers (POF-AC) and directs the Optical Communications Laboratory, while also holding deputy leadership roles in the Technical Optics Laboratory and Optical Quantum Technologies Laboratory.

• Formerly served as Head of Fiber Optics Laboratory at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg (2001-2016)
• Habilitation in 2015 with teaching qualification in High Frequency Technology
• Doctorate with distinction from FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg in 2001
• Diploma in Electrical Engineering from FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg (1995)

Professor Engelbrecht's research spans multiple domains within optical technologies, with particular expertise in fiber optic sensor systems and measurement techniques. His work bridges fundamental optical principles with practical applications in medical technology and industrial sensing. The research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between photonics, quantum technologies, and precision engineering, reflecting his comprehensive approach to optical system development.

His publications and research activities show a clear progression from fundamental optical principles to advanced sensor applications, with particular emphasis on polymer optical fibers and frequency domain analysis techniques. This research trajectory has established him as a significant contributor to the field of fiber optic sensing technology.

• Staedtler Promotion Prize (2002) for best dissertation
• VDE ITG Prize (2016) for outstanding publications for the book 'Nonlinear Fiber Optics'

Professor Engelbrecht actively supervises Bachelor's and Master's theses while directing multiple research laboratories. His leadership extends to the Polymer Optical Fiber Application Center and collaborations with industry partners through third-party funded projects. He maintains active roles in professional organizations including Optica, VDE, and the International Cooperative on Plastic Optical Fibers.

His laboratory infrastructure includes the Optical Communications Laboratory, Microsystems Technology Laboratory (clean room), and specialized facilities for technical optics and optical quantum technologies, providing comprehensive research capabilities across the optical technology spectrum.